Eating Behavior and its Association with Night Work and BMI among Female Nurses in Shiraz Hospitals, Iran

People's eating habits are effective for prevention and control of obesity. Shift works are shown to be associated with an increased risk of being overweight and obesity. This study aimed to investigate the eating behavior and its association with night work and BMI among female nurses in Shiraz, Iran.

Eighty female nurses working in Shiraz hospitals, Iran were enrolled. The number of night work shift for each nurse was determined. The anthropometric data were also collected and the Dutch eating behavior questionnaire was used to assess eating behavior.

There was a significant positive correlation between the subscale scores of eating behavior and weight, body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference. There was no significant correlation between the number of night shift work with anthropometric indices and subscales of eating behavior questionnaire. Comparing the subscales scores of the eating behavior questionnaire in the two groups of normal weight (BMI<24.9) and overweight and obesity (BMI≥25), it was observed that the score of restrained eating index was significantly higher in overweight and obese subjects than those with normal weight.

There was no statistically significant correlation between night work and anthropometric indices or eating behavior, but there was a statistically significant correlation between eating behavior and weight, body mass index and waist circumference. The score of restrained eating index was significantly higher in overweight and obese nurses than those with normal weight that necessitates a planning for health policy makers.